ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'tensorflow'

TL;DR: Install tensorflow in the Python you are actually running: pip install tensorflow. If pip says it is already installed, you have an interpreter mismatch, check python -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)" against where pip installed it. On Apple Silicon use tensorflow-macos, not tensorflow.

The error:

ModuleNotFoundError: No module named 'tensorflow'

Fix

1. Run python -c "import sys; print(sys.executable)" then python -m pip show tensorflow Expected: either shows tensorflow info or confirms it is missing from this interpreter

2. Install: python -m pip install tensorflow (or tensorflow-macos on Apple Silicon) Expected: Successfully installed tensorflow

3. Verify: python -c "import tensorflow as tf; print(tf.__version__)" Expected: prints the version, no error

When this applies

• No module named 'tensorflow' on import
• pip list shows tensorflow but the script still fails (interpreter mismatch)

When this does not apply

• import fails with a DLL or .so error (installed but broken)
• you need GPU support, that is a separate install decision

Version compatibility

tensorflow 2.x CPU. For GPU on Linux use the CUDA-enabled build per the TF install docs; Apple Silicon uses tensorflow-macos + tensorflow-metal.

Why it happens

TensorFlow is a large package that people often install with one pip/python and run with another (system python, venv, conda, notebook kernel). The module simply is not on sys.path of the running interpreter.

Edge cases

• Always use python -m pip so the installer targets the interpreter you run.
• In notebooks, restart the kernel after installing.
• tensorflow does not publish an official Windows GPU wheel for 2.11+; CPU wheel or WSL2 instead.